Mittermeier to Help Spearhead Efforts to Preserve Earth’s Diversity
of Life as GWC’s New Chief Conservation Officer

November 01, 2017 12:40 PM Eastern Time

AUSTIN, Texas--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--World-renowned wildlife champion Russ
Mittermeier is joining Global
Wildlife Conservation as Chief Conservation Officer, a leadership
role that will help position GWC as an even more powerful force for the
protection of endangered wildlife and wildlands worldwide. With more
than 45 years of experience in conservation, Mittermeier has described
18 species new to science, has eight species named in his honor, has
authored 37 books and more than 700 scientific and popular articles, and
has contributed to the conservation of some of Earth’s most critically
threatened places.

“I know that Russ will do extraordinary work with GWC
in saving our rainforests from destruction and assuring the survival of
rare tropical species.”

“Russ Mittermeier is a legend in the field of species conservation, and
it is a true privilege to bring him together with our team and GWC to
amplify our impact," said Brian Sheth, chairman of GWC. “When we decided
to establish the role of Chief Conservation Officer, Russ jumped to the
top of our list immediately. His passion, his effectiveness, and his
prolific advocacy put him in an elite group among conservationists, and
we are thrilled and honored to work with him.”

Mittermeier joins GWC from Conservation International, where he served
as president from 1989 until 2014. The two organizations will now
partner to identify key areas in which to join efforts, including in the
protection of wildlands in Amazonia; conservation of wildlife in
Madagascar, Indonesia and the Tropical Andes; and research through Rapid
Assessment Programs.

“Russ’s impact on the world in his last 28 years at Conservation
International is simply beyond words,” said M. Sanjayan, chief executive
officer of Conservation International. “I am thrilled that with his next
chapter, Russ will continue his life’s work of protecting species, while
Conservation International and Global Wildlife Conservation build a
closer partnership for saving our natural world. This is a win-win.”

Trained as a primatologist and herpetologist, Mittermeier has traveled
widely in 169 countries and seven continents, and has conducted
fieldwork in more than 30. He has seen more primate species in the wild
(more than 350) and has been in more tropical forest ecosystems than
anyone. In particular, he has played a key role in conservation in the
Atlantic Forest region of Brazil, in Madagascar and in South America’s
Guiana Shield region, home to the most pristine rainforests left on
Earth.

“Russ and I have worked together for decades on causes related to
species conservation, and over that time I have admired his dedication
to preserving our planet's biodiversity and the habitats that enable it
to thrive," said Jane Goodall, the acclaimed primatologist and
conservationist. "I know that Russ will do extraordinary work with GWC
in saving our rainforests from destruction and assuring the survival of
rare tropical species."

In this new role with GWC, Mittermeier will have an opportunity to
leverage his extensive network and experience for maximum species
conservation impact. Since 1977, Mittermeier has served as chair of the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival
Commission (IUCN SSC) Primate Specialist Group. In addition,
Mittermeier, who TIME Magazine named a “Hero for the Planet” in 1999, is
an adjunct professor at the State University of New York, a research
associate at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the president
of the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation.

Mittermeier will lead GWC’s efforts to protect tropical forests—enormous
reservoirs of biodiversity and a key component in preventing runaway
climate change—in hotspots and critical wilderness. As a global leader
in primate conservation, he will scale up his work at GWC to protect
humans’ closest relatives. For example, Mittermeier will play a vital
role in GWC’s work to protect the lemurs of Madagascar, the monkeys of
Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, and the imperiled red
colobus monkeys of Africa.

“Given my life-long commitment to species and my strong belief in the
fundamental importance of species conservation, I am delighted to be
joining GWC—their strong focus on conserving species and wildlands is a
perfect fit for me for the remainder of my career,” Mittermeier said.
“GWC is also becoming a global leader in the conservation of tropical
forests, which is especially important for me as a primatologist because
90 percent of all primate species are found in tropical forests.
Tropical forests are also important for biodiversity in general, and
they provide a wide range of ecosystem services, include some of the
last homes for indigenous people, and hold the key to combating climate
change in the most cost-effective way.”

Global Wildlife Conservation

Austin-based Global Wildlife Conservation envisions a thriving Earth
where all life flourishes. GWC conserves the diversity of life on Earth
by preserving wildlands, restoring wildlife and engaging with global
guardians. Driven by science, GWC maximizes its impact through
conservation solutions in research and exploration, land purchase and
protected area establishment, protected area management, poaching
prevention, and capacity building. Learn more at www.globalwildlife.org.

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